Invited Into God’s Story—Jr. A
Our first “Camas Camp” of the year was Junior A where we played host to an amazing group of children ages nine to twelve.
Our speaker, Sunflower, taught on how God invites us into His story!
During the very first chapel session on Monday night, she spoke from Genesis 1:1-25 about the setting and main character in God’s story.
Main Truth: God created everything good to point to Him.
The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
The skies display his craftsmanship.
Psalm 19:1b
On Tuesday, Sunflower spoke from Genesis 1:26-31, 2:7 on the created characters, us!
Main Truth: In Love, God created us to be like Him.
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
Psalm 139:14
On Wednesday, the chapel covered the conflict of God’s story, starting with Genesis chapters two and three.
Main Truth: Not trusting God hurts all of God’s creation.
For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.
Romans 8:22
For Thursday night’s chapel, the campers learned about the The Resolution or The Rescue found in God’s story.
Main Truth: Jesus came to die, so that we can live. Jesus did everything so that we can have life with Him.
For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.
Luke 19:10
For the Friday night chapel, Sunflower spoke about The Relationship.
Main Truth: We are invited into community with God, resting in His plan for salvation.
This is what the Sovereign LORD,
the Holy One of Israel, says:
“Only in returning to me
and resting in me will you be saved.
In quietness and confidence is your strength.
Isaiah 30:15a
It was an amazing week learning about God’s story while taking the time to enjoy the beautiful world He created, tucked away in the mountains together. Let me leave you with just one of the many stories that occurred during this wonderful week of camp.
Most of you know that my grandparents, Del and Autumn Griffith, founded Camas Meadows Bible Camp back in 1973. Offering a cup of tea to anyone who stepped through the door of their rustic log home was something Autumn lived out every day of her life. Even when she was too weak to walk, she would still offer visitors a cup of tea.
When I was fourteen we clustered around the phone, waiting to see if the EMS workers had been able to revive my dad. The call finally came, letting us know he was gone, and Grandma Autumn hung up the phone, took a deep breath and asked if anyone wanted a cup of tea. It was shocking to me at the time, but this was how she showed her love.
When our three sons were small, Autumn would bravely serve those rowdy boys tea heaped with sugar from fancy china cups. My sons are all grown and they still love a nice cup of tea.
So, when a homesick camper and his counselor knocked on the door of the log home that I inherited from my grandparents, right as I was headed to bed, I ushered them to the living room to talk with Scruffy and found myself saying something strange.
“Would you like a cup of tea?”
The little boy sitting on my couch thought a moment, and then said yes.
And so I heated the water while they chatted with Scruff, made a pot and brought them all mugs of tea.
They chatted and sipped and I sat with them and did the same and Scruffy talked him into staying one more night.
Well, the next night, right as I was getting ready for bed, can you guess who knocked on my door?
The same counselor and homesick camper. They asked if we could have tea again. So I made another pot with different tea, tea that he didn’t really like, but we sat and sipped and talked anyway and I promised him that I would buy some mint tea the next day.
My son picked up a packet of mint tea while he was off the mountain for work and during the day that homesick camper waved to me and told me that he would see me that night . . . for tea.
We had tea every single night and you know what? He made it through the entire week of camp! One day at a time, one mug of tea at a time, and Grandma Autumn’s obsession with a good cup of tea started to look a whole lot more reasonable.
Because it’s not just tea. It is taking a moment to sit together, sip a hot drink, and chat about the day. It is having something to look forward to in the evenings and it is a connection with people who care.
And so the next time I make a pot of tea for my grown sons, I’m going to remember that it’s not just a pot of tea. It will be the strength of my grandmother, hanging up the phone after the worst call of her life and putting the kettle on to boil. It will be the memory of a life lived well and watching God work with a simple moment given up to Him.
God uses surprising things to continue His story. Be on the lookout my friends, for His glory shines bright in the smallest moments and He is eager to use each one of us if we will give even those simple things up to Him.
That is what this week of camp was. A collection of simple offerings from starlit hikes to rowdy splashing jumps into the pond. And our Lord took them and our Creator did beautiful and stunning things in the hearts of children and leaders alike up here on this simple mountain meadow that my grandparents dedicated to Him so many years ago.
And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
Philippians 1:6